Excellent question. Thank you for asking. The term “higher power” was developed by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 steps, who included many Christians.

They recognized that many people with addictive personalities have a history of challenging or resisting God, fathers and father figures. so they came up with the “higher power” term as a broader more inclusive way to reach people whose views of God or religious would be swayed by their own histories with inadequate fathers, and spiritual leaders.

For example, if your own father was abusive you might be reminded whenever some calls God or a priest “Father.” God actually takes on multiple forms and goes by multiple names within the Bible. As Peter Kreeft explains, Christianity as The Way can be perfect but Christians themselves are not. That’s why the Church is called a “field hospital” and a school of love for people who are flawed but seeking to become a better version of themselves.